FAQ's

Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that involves talking as freely as you feel able to in a confidential space, at a regular time and with a regular stranger(s) (someone that you only see for therapy). Together we think about your, thoughts, feelings, and experiences, along with the experience of the therapy and the relationship with me. Leading to deeper self-understanding and potential changes in your life. Psychodynamic psychotherapy assumes that there are aspects of ourselves that we unconscious of and that through therapy we can become more aware of these. That our early experience of our relationships and the social world, affect is in ways that create patterns of relationship which affect us negatively, that we are not aware of.

Anyone can benefit from psychotherapy, regardless of their, experiences, age, gender, sexual orientation, or sociocultural background. People seek therapy for a variety of reasons, including, anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, compulsive behaviours, and struggles with relationships. We can think together about whether individual or group psychotherapy would be best suited to your current needs.

Choosing a therapist can seem a daunting task. Think about what you'd like some help with and do some research: look online, ask friends/family, speak to your GP. Please do reach out, in our initial contact we can think about whether we are well suited to work with one another. These may be some places to start: UKCP Psychology Today Counselling Directory

There is no set agenda; it is a space for you to bring your, thoughts, feelings, and experiences, in the way you wish. We can think together about what you bring, alongside your experience, of the sessions and of me. This leads to a deeper understanding of yourself and your experiences, creating the potential for change to occur.

We can think together about what your needs are and what you may want from the therapy, and how I can help you with those. Often with longer standing issues, a longer term treatment is recommended. Investment in therapy can bring about long lasting change and we can review the treatment as it progresses.

I offer a confidential space for you to bring things you may struggle to bring anywhere else in your life. I will keep any records in accordance with GDPR regulations. In very rare circumstances, if I was very concerned about you or others in your life, I am ethically bound to share information with others and this is something I would discuss with you should the need arise.

I offer Group Analytic Psychotherapy; which recognises the fundamentally social nature of the human experience and links people's struggles to their relationship patterns. A group is a place where people can think about the struggles they are having in their life and get support from peers with these. It is also a place where members can think about their relationships with one another, to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. The following sites offer more information about the group analytic approach: Group Analytic Society International (GASi) Institute of Group Analysis (IGA)

Group psychotherapy can be beneficial for a wide range of people with many different issues, in a similar way to individual psychotherapy. Groups can be of particular benefit for those who struggle with relationships. Often people can find the commonality and community found in group psychotherapy to be of particular benefit. We can think together whether individual or group psychotherapy would be best suited to your needs when we meet.

The same members meet either once or twice weekly for 90 minutes, at the same time and same place. This consistency is part of what gives the group it's sense of emotional safety. People are expected to attend regularly and to give notice if they cannot for any reason. Over time people will leave the group at a time of their choosing, in discussion with the other members. After this, a new member will be invited to join the group.

There is no set agenda, members tend to bring events from their lives that they want to think about with the group. Members respond with their thoughts and feelings in the moment to what is bought to the group and understanding can be found. Members are encouraged to bring their experience of being part of the group and explore the relationships they have with other members, as these can often replicate relationship patterns they experience elsewhere. This may give a flavour of the experience: https://www.youtube.com/@GROUPtheseries

Psychotherapy groups are confidential spaces, the members are expected to keep other's confidences as they expect theirs to be kept.

This anxiety is a common one and may be an indicator that a group could be of benefit. When we meet we can think about whether individual or group psychotherapy would be most appropriate at the time. Members meet with me for a number of sessions before joining the group and we can think together about whatever thoughts and feelings you may be having about joining.